A water cooling plate

Abstract

The utility model relates to a water cooling plate, including installing frame body, the upper panel and lower panel of setting respectively on the upper and lower ends of installing frame body, the inside surface of mutually facing of upper panel and lower panel all are fixed with the baffle of equal interval distribution, when the upper panel and lower panel assembly to installing frame body, two groups of baffle staggered arrangement, and the bottom end of upper baffle is attached to the surface of lower panel, the top end of lower baffle is attached to the surface of upper panel, form the continuous serpentine flow channel in the inside space of installing frame body, and the left and right sides of installing frame body are equipped with water inlet joint and return joint respectively, and the water inlet joint communicates with one end of serpentine flow channel, the utility model discloses modularization structure, the dismounting of water cooling plate is convenient, after assembling, the serpentine flow channel of the interlaced of upper and lower baffle, and the cooling liquid flows in the serpentine flow channel, significantly increased the contact area between cooling medium and metal material, guaranteed the heat dissipation effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water cooling technology, specifically a water cooling plate. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic components generate heat during operation, and the internal space of electronic devices is often very limited, which easily leads to heat accumulation. This results in a large amount of concentrated heat being generated during the operation of the device. If heat cannot be dissipated in a timely and effective manner, it will cause the device temperature to be too high, resulting in performance degradation, shortened lifespan, or even thermal failure. Water cooling radiators are accessories that use liquid for heat dissipation. They mainly use liquid to force circulation under the drive of a pump to remove the heat from the radiator. Compared with air cooling, they have advantages such as being quiet, having stable cooling, and being less dependent on the environment. For example, patent number CN212138219U discloses a water-cooled plate with a heat storage plate, which includes a base plate and a cover plate, the base plate and the cover plate being attached together, and a cold water pipe being disposed between the base plate and the cover plate. The upper surface of the base plate has a first groove for accommodating the cold water pipe, and the lower surface of the cover plate has a second groove for accommodating the cold water pipe. The cold water pipe is distributed in a serpentine pattern, with both ends extending beyond the base plate and the cover plate. A heat storage plate is disposed on the lower surface of the base plate, and the thickness of the heat storage plate is greater than the sum of the thicknesses of the base plate and the cover plate. This application has the advantages of high heat dissipation efficiency and good heat dissipation effect.

[0003] However, existing water-cooled plates generally involve bending copper or stainless steel tubes into a serpentine or U-shape, embedding them into an aluminum substrate, and fixing them with thermally conductive adhesive or by pressing. The cooling medium only transfers heat through the tube wall, resulting in a small effective heat exchange area and poor heat dissipation. Some water-cooling structures use a metal substrate to mill out flow channels and then seal them to form an integrated structure. However, the overall manufacturing process is demanding, and the integrated structure is not convenient for the maintenance and disassembly of the water-cooled plate. Based on this, we propose a water-cooled plate to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a water-cooled plate that increases the heat exchange area of ​​the cooling channel while also possessing good disassembly and sealing properties. This solves the problem that existing water-cooled plates typically involve bending copper or stainless steel tubes into a serpentine or U-shape, embedding them into an aluminum substrate, and fixing them with thermally conductive adhesive or by pressing. The cooling medium in these plates only transfers heat through the tube wall, resulting in a small effective heat exchange area and poor heat dissipation. In contrast, some water-cooling structures use a metal substrate with milled channels that are then sealed to form an integrated structure. However, this requires a high level of manufacturing expertise, and the integrated structure makes it inconvenient for the maintenance and disassembly of the water-cooled plate.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a water-cooled plate, comprising a mounting frame, an upper panel and a lower panel respectively disposed at the upper and lower ends of the mounting frame, wherein equally spaced partitions (formed by a toothed machining method) are fixed on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower panels facing each other. When the upper and lower panels are assembled onto the mounting frame, the two sets of partitions are staggered, with the bottom end of the upper partition abutting against the surface of the lower panel and the top end of the lower partition abutting against the surface of the upper panel, forming a continuous serpentine flow channel in the inner space of the mounting frame. A water inlet connector and a water return connector are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the mounting frame. The water inlet connector is connected to one end of the serpentine flow channel, and the water return connector is connected to the other end of the serpentine flow channel. When coolant is input through the water inlet connector, the coolant flows along the path of the serpentine flow channel. Annular grooves are provided at the periphery of the upper and lower ends of the mounting frame, and two ends of rubber pads are fixedly connected to the two side walls of the annular grooves, so that the rubber pads are arranged across the inside of the annular grooves and form a closed chamber.

[0006] Furthermore, the upper and lower panels are detachably connected to the upper and lower ends of the mounting frame by multiple bolts. The upper and lower panels and the partition are all made of aluminum alloy (6063-T5 aluminum alloy). The lower end of the lower panel is provided with an anodized layer (an insulating oxide film with a thickness of 8-12μm) to prevent the cooling system from being electrified and causing a short circuit risk.

[0007] It should be noted that the partition is fixed to the panel by welding, and a thin layer of thermally conductive silicone is coated between the contact surfaces of the upper and lower panels and the mounting frame. This does not affect disassembly and can fill the micro gaps, forming an auxiliary seal and heat conduction path.

[0008] Furthermore, the partition is a straight metal plate structure, the height of the partition is the same as the height of the mounting frame, and the spacing between adjacent partitions is equal. The two sets of partitions are arranged in an alternating manner, that is, the position of the partition on the upper panel corresponds to the gap between two adjacent partitions on the lower panel.

[0009] It is important to note that, in order to ensure installation accuracy, the upper and lower partitions must be precisely staggered and fitted together. If the panel is deformed or the partition position is too far off, it may lead to misalignment of the flow channel, uneven flow cross section, or even local blockage, affecting the uniformity of cooling.

[0010] Furthermore, the baffle is a corrugated plate structure, which forms a curved serpentine flow channel after the baffle is assembled.

[0011] Furthermore, the rubber pad is made of silicone rubber material, the cross-section of the rubber pad is a rectangular structure, and both ends of the rubber pad are embedded and fixed in the slots of the annular groove sidewall.

[0012] Furthermore, the interior of the mounting frame is provided with a liquid channel, and the annular groove and the serpentine flow channel are connected through the liquid channel. The liquid channel is used to guide part of the coolant to enter the closed chamber in the annular groove simultaneously.

[0013] It is important to note that the way the rubber gasket is fixed at both ends allows it to form a naturally convex structure, thus providing good sealing performance. The pressure in the closed chamber limits the deformation of the rubber gasket. The coolant entering the closed chamber is not intended to push the rubber gasket out, so it will not have a significant impact on the sealing performance of the rubber gasket during the initial startup or when the flow rate is low.

[0014] Furthermore, the liquid channels are evenly distributed along the circumference of the annular groove, so that when the coolant enters the closed chamber, the pressure on the rubber pad is consistent with the working pressure in the serpentine flow channel.

[0015] It is important to note that the liquid channels are evenly distributed to ensure a rapid and balanced pressure response within the sealed chamber, thus preventing uneven sealing caused by localized pressure lag.

[0016] Furthermore, both the inlet and outlet water connectors are connected to the heat dissipation device via pipes, and the inlet and outlet water directions of the inlet and outlet water connectors are parallel to the panel surface.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial effects: 1. This water-cooled plate adopts a modular structure, which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the water-cooled plate. After assembly, the staggered upper and lower partitions form a serpentine flow channel, and the coolant flows in the serpentine flow channel, which significantly increases the contact area between the cooling medium and the metal material, ensuring the heat dissipation effect. 2. The water-cooled plate has its upper and lower panels detachably connected to the mounting frame via bolts, which facilitates the cleaning, inspection, or replacement of seals in the internal serpentine flow channel. This reduces production costs while making the water-cooled plate easier to maintain, thus improving the maintainability and service life of the water-cooling system. 3. The water-cooled plate has annular grooves on the upper and lower perimeters of the mounting frame, with a rubber pad spanning through it to form a closed chamber. When the coolant flows in, it enters the closed chamber simultaneously. Under the action of hydraulic pressure, the rubber pad is pushed outward and tightly pressed against the edge of the panel, so that the working water pressure and sealing pressure are synchronized, ensuring the sealing performance. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the overall structure of this utility model. Figure 2 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the upper and lower panels of this utility model. Figure 3 The diagram shown is a top view of the present invention. Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the internal structure of the mounting frame of this utility model. Figure 5 The diagram shown is a partial cross-sectional view of the liquid channel structure of this utility model. Figure 6 The diagram shown is a top view of the partition structure in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Mounting frame; 2. Top panel; 3. Bottom panel; 4. Water inlet connector; 5. Water return connector; 6. Baffle plate; 7. Annular groove; 8. Rubber pad; 9. Liquid channel; 10. Serpentine flow channel. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0021] Please see Figures 1-6 This embodiment of a water-cooled plate includes a mounting frame 1, an upper panel 2 and a lower panel 3 respectively disposed at the upper and lower ends of the mounting frame 1. Equally spaced partitions 6 are fixed to the inner surfaces of the upper panel 2 and the lower panel 3 facing each other. The upper panel 2 and the lower panel 3 are detachably connected to the upper and lower ends of the mounting frame 1 by multiple bolts. The upper panel 2, the lower panel 3, and the partitions 6 are all made of aluminum alloy. The lower end surface of the lower panel 3 is provided with an anodized layer. When the upper panel 2 and the lower panel 3 are assembled onto the mounting frame 1, the two sets of partitions 6 are staggered, and the bottom end of the upper partition 6 abuts against the surface of the lower panel 3. The top of plate 6 abuts against the surface of the upper panel 2, forming a continuous serpentine flow channel 10 in the inner space of the mounting frame 1. The left and right sides of the mounting frame 1 are respectively provided with a water inlet connector 4 and a water return connector 5. The water inlet connector 4 is connected to one end of the serpentine flow channel 10, and the water return connector 5 is connected to the other end of the serpentine flow channel 10. When the coolant is input through the water inlet connector 4, the coolant flows along the path of the serpentine flow channel 10. Annular grooves 7 are opened at the periphery of the upper and lower ends of the mounting frame 1. The two ends of rubber pads 8 are fixedly connected to the two side walls of the annular grooves 7, so that the rubber pads 8 are arranged across the inside of the annular grooves 7 and form a closed chamber.

[0022] In this embodiment, both the water inlet connector 4 and the water return connector 5 are connected to the heat dissipation device through pipes, and the water inlet and outlet directions of the water inlet connector 4 and the water return connector 5 are parallel to the panel surface.

[0023] It should be noted that the detachable connection structure facilitates later maintenance and repair. When the water-cooled plate experiences scaling in the flow channel or aging of the seals after long-term operation, the upper panel 2 or lower panel 3 can be removed by unscrewing the bolts to clean the internal serpentine flow channel 10 or replace the rubber gasket 8, which significantly improves the maintainability and service life of the equipment. The use of aluminum alloy material helps to reduce the overall weight and has good thermal conductivity (thermal conductivity ≥180 W / m·K), meeting the heat dissipation requirements of high-power electronic devices. The anodized layer on the surface of the lower panel 3 not only improves corrosion resistance but also enhances electrical insulation, preventing accidental short circuits caused by the cooling system becoming energized and ensuring the safe operation of electronic equipment.

[0024] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, the partition 6 is a straight metal plate structure. The height of the partition 6 is the same as the height of the mounting frame 1, and the spacing between adjacent partitions 6 is equal. The two sets of partitions 6 are arranged in an alternating manner, that is, the position of the partition 6 on the upper panel 2 corresponds to the gap between two adjacent partitions 6 on the lower panel 3.

[0025] It should be noted that the staggered arrangement creates alternating fluid diversion channels between the upper and lower baffles 6. During the flow, the coolant passes through multiple U-shaped bends in sequence, forming a complete S-shaped or Z-shaped serpentine flow channel 10, which effectively extends the flow path of the coolant and increases the contact time and area between the medium and the metal wall, thereby significantly improving the heat exchange efficiency. The straight plate structure is simple to process and can be processed by tooth cutting, forming an integral structure with the panel. It is low in cost and highly consistent, making it suitable for large-scale promotion and application.

[0026] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the rubber pad 8 is made of silicone rubber material, the cross-section of the rubber pad 8 is a rectangular structure, and the two ends of the rubber pad 8 are embedded and fixed in the slots of the side wall of the annular groove 7.

[0027] It should be noted that silicone rubber has excellent high and low temperature resistance (applicable temperature range -50°C to +200°C), good elasticity and anti-aging properties, making it suitable for long-term use under complex working conditions. Its rectangular cross-section structure is easy to mold and assemble, and when it is matched with the slot, it can achieve axial limiting, preventing the rubber pad 8 from shifting or coming off under pressure. The transverse arrangement allows the middle of the rubber pad 8 to be in a free suspended state, and it arches outward under its own elasticity, which facilitates a tight fit with the edge of the upper panel 2 or the lower panel 3, achieving dynamic adaptive sealing. The sealing effect increases with the increase of system pressure, and its reliability is far superior to that of traditional static O-ring seals.

[0028] In this embodiment, a liquid channel 9 is provided inside the mounting frame 1. The annular groove 7 and the serpentine flow channel 10 are connected through the liquid channel 9. The liquid channel 9 is used to guide part of the coolant to enter the closed chamber in the annular groove 7 synchronously. The liquid channels 9 are distributed at equal intervals along the circumference of the annular groove 7. When the coolant enters the closed chamber, the pressure on the rubber pad 8 is consistent with the working pressure in the serpentine flow channel 10.

[0029] It should be noted that the number of liquid channels 9 is determined according to the size of the plate and is evenly distributed around the circumference of the annular groove 7 to ensure that the pressure in the sealing chamber is established quickly and evenly, avoiding uneven sealing or panel distortion due to local pressure lag. By connecting the sealing chamber with the main channel, the pressure borne by the rubber gasket 8 always changes synchronously with the working pressure of the cooling system, realizing a hydraulic self-tightening sealing mechanism. It can maintain stable and reliable sealing performance under variable working conditions such as system start-up and shutdown and flow regulation, greatly reducing the risk of leakage.

[0030] Example 2 Please see Figure 6 Unlike Embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the partition 6 is a corrugated plate structure. When the partition 6 is assembled, it forms a curved serpentine flow channel 10. When the upper panel 2 and the lower panel 3 are assembled onto the mounting frame 1, the upper and lower corrugated partitions 6 interlock and fit together. The trough of the upper partition 6 is in contact with the surface of the lower panel 3, and the crest of the lower partition 6 is in contact with the surface of the upper panel 2, forming a continuous curved serpentine flow channel 10 in the mounting frame 1, in which the coolant flows in an S-shaped meandering manner.

[0031] It should be noted that the use of the corrugated baffle structure can significantly enhance the disturbance effect of the coolant in the flow channel, transforming the originally laminar flow state into local turbulence or pseudo-turbulence, effectively breaking the boundary layer thermal resistance, improving the convective heat transfer coefficient. The corrugated structure has a certain elastic deformation capability, which can absorb small dimensional tolerances or slight panel warping during assembly, reducing the dependence on machining accuracy, improving the assembly success rate and structural reliability. This design is particularly suitable for applications with high heat flux density, limited space, or requiring extreme heat dissipation performance, such as new energy vehicle motor controllers and high-power radio frequency modules.

[0032] The working principle of the above embodiments is as follows: During operation, the coolant is driven by an external circulation pump and flows through the pipe from the inlet connector 4 into one end of the serpentine flow channel 10. It then flows along a continuous S-shaped channel formed by staggered upper and lower baffles 6. During this process, heat is transferred from high-power electronic devices such as IGBT modules mounted below the lower panel 3 to the lower panel 3 via a thermally conductive interface material, and then conducted to the flowing coolant through the metal walls surrounding the serpentine flow channel 10, achieving efficient heat dissipation. The coolant, having absorbed heat, flows out from the return connector 5 and returns to the external heat dissipation device to complete heat exchange. Simultaneously, some coolant enters the area located at [location missing] through evenly distributed liquid channels 9. The annular grooves 7 at the upper and lower ends of the mounting frame 1 are filled with closed chambers formed by rubber pads 8. As the system pressure rises, the liquid in the closed chamber pushes the elastic rubber pads 8 outward, causing their outer edges to tightly press against the edge areas of the upper panel 2 and the lower panel 3, forming a dynamic pressure-boosting seal. The higher the pressure, the stronger the seal, thus achieving an adaptive sealing effect where the more liquid flows, the tighter the seal becomes. The entire water-cooled plate adopts a modular design. The upper panel 2 and the lower panel 3 are connected to the mounting frame 1 by bolts, making disassembly and assembly convenient. This facilitates regular cleaning of any deposits that may be generated in the flow channel or checking the sealing status, effectively extending the product's service life.

[0033] It should be noted that the heat dissipation device includes a circulating pump, radiator, expansion tank and temperature control system. The water-cooled plate is used to directly cool IGBT modules, SiC power devices or high-density integrated circuits. The coolant flows in a serpentine channel and the hydraulic self-tightening sealing structure ensures the long-term sealing reliability of the system. In order to ensure the flow rate of the coolant, the working pressure of the coolant in the channel is 0.5 to 6 bar.

[0034] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A water-cooled plate, comprising a mounting frame (1), an upper panel (2) and a lower panel (3) respectively disposed at the upper and lower ends of the mounting frame (1), characterized in that: On the inner surfaces of the upper panel (2) and the lower panel (3) facing each other, there are partitions (6) that are evenly spaced. When the upper panel (2) and the lower panel (3) are assembled onto the mounting frame (1), the two sets of partitions (6) are arranged in an alternating manner, with the bottom end of the upper partition (6) abutting against the surface of the lower panel (3) and the top end of the lower partition (6) abutting against the surface of the upper panel (2), forming a continuous serpentine flow channel (10) in the inner space of the mounting frame (1). Water inlets are provided on the left and right sides of the mounting frame (1). The inlet (4) and return water connector (5) are connected to one end of the serpentine flow channel (10), and the return water connector (5) is connected to the other end of the serpentine flow channel (10). When the coolant is input through the inlet (4), the coolant flows along the path of the serpentine flow channel (10). The upper and lower ends of the mounting frame (1) are provided with annular grooves (7). The two sides of the annular groove (7) are fixedly connected to the two ends of the rubber pad (8), so that the rubber pad (8) is set across the inside of the annular groove (7) and forms a closed chamber.

2. A water-cooled plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper panel (2) and the lower panel (3) are detachably connected to the upper and lower ends of the mounting frame (1) by multiple bolts. The upper panel (2), the lower panel (3), and the partition (6) are all made of aluminum alloy metal. The lower end of the lower panel (3) is provided with an anodized layer.

3. A water-cooled plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The partition (6) is a straight metal plate structure. The height of the partition (6) is the same as the height of the mounting frame (1), and the spacing between adjacent partitions (6) is equal. The two sets of partitions (6) are arranged in an alternating manner, that is, the position of the partition (6) on the upper panel (2) corresponds to the gap between two adjacent partitions (6) on the lower panel (3).

4. A water-cooled plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The partition (6) is a corrugated plate structure. When the partition (6) is assembled, it forms a curved serpentine flow channel (10).

5. A water-cooled plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rubber pad (8) is made of silicone rubber material. The cross-section of the rubber pad (8) is rectangular, and the two ends of the rubber pad (8) are embedded and fixed in the slots of the side wall of the annular groove (7).

6. A water-cooled plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting frame (1) has a liquid channel (9) inside. The annular groove (7) and the serpentine flow channel (10) are connected through the liquid channel (9). The liquid channel (9) is used to guide part of the coolant into the closed chamber in the annular groove (7) simultaneously.

7. A water-cooled plate according to claim 6, characterized in that: The liquid channels (9) are evenly distributed along the circumference of the annular groove (7). When the coolant enters the closed chamber, the pressure on the rubber pad (8) is consistent with the working pressure in the serpentine flow channel (10).

8. A water-cooled plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the inlet connector (4) and the outlet connector (5) are connected to the heat dissipation device through pipes. The inlet and outlet directions of the inlet connector (4) and the outlet connector (5) are parallel to the panel surface.

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